Leaders of the Leduc Center for Civic Engagement at the University of Massachusetts-Dartmouth (UMD) invited community leaders, faculty, and students to gather on April 15, 2016, at the Woodland Commons for the eighth annual Civic Engagement Summit. Recently named for the Rev. Dr. Robert Lawrence, the Summit began with welcoming remarks by Senior Vice Chancellor for Strategic Management Gerald Kavanaugh. The first of two keynote addresses was delivered by Dr. David Campbell of the University of Notre Dame who spoke about religion and civic engagement. UMD student Emike Momodu and UMD Rabbi Jacqueline Satlow served as discussants. Following the presentation of student, faculty and community civic engagement awards, the second keynote speaker, Rev. Brenda Girton-Mitchell, JD, Director of the Center for Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships at the U.S. Department of Education spoke about support from the Obama Administration. UMD Student Sharon Kumar and New Bedford Inter-Church Council Executive Minister Rev. David Lima served as discussants. Assistant Vice Chancellor for Civic Engagement Matthew Roy, Ph.D. followed with closing remarks. Click here for a two-hour and 40-minute video of the event. Click here for photos of the 2015 Summit. For more information, contact Deirdre Healy, Director of Community Service and Partnerships, at 508-999-8641.

(Top row) Summit participants help themselves to breakfast as Michele Roberts of Bristol County Savings Bank and Rev. Dr. Robert Lawrence pose for a photo and Keynote Speaker Dr. David Campbell of the University of Notre Dame speaks with Assistant Vice Chancellor for Civic Engagement Matthew Roy, Ph.D.  (Row two) Senior anthropology/sociology major Chris LaPorte and Mabel Tejada introduce Senior Vice Chancellor for Strategic Management Gerald Kavanaugh and Fall River Mayor Jasiel Correia II. (Row three) Dr. David Campbell of the University of Notre Dame spoke about religion and civic engagement. (Row four) UMD student Emike Momodu and UMD Rabbi Jacqueline Satlow respond to Dr. Campbell's remarks. (Row five) Student award winner Ausubel Pichardo (left), faculty award winner Morgan Peters, and community award winner Michele Roberts pose for photos. (Row six) Second keynote speaker, Rev. Brenda Girton-Mitchell, JD, spoke about support from the Obama Administration before UMD Student Sharon Kumar and New Bedford Inter-Church Council Executive Minister Rev. David Lima comment. (Row seven) Dr. Roy tells a story as part of his closing remarks. (Bottom row) Fall River Boys and Girls Club Finance Director and Partners School Wellness Coordinator Marcia Picard chat at their table while speakers pose for a photo with Deirdre Healy of the Leduc Center for Civic Engagement, center, while Dr. Roy talks with Dennis Kelly of Bristol County Savings Bank.